BBQ Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes

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• ½ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 each egg
• ¼ cup grated white onion
• ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
• 2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (90% to 93% lean)
• ¾ cup ketchup
• ½ cup prepared BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• As Needed + As Needed black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and quartered)
• ½ cup milk (warmed in microwave for about 25 seconds)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 teaspoons salt (divided)

1. BBQ Meatballs: Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty foil and coat it well with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. For the Meatballs ingredients: ½ cup plain panko breadcrumbs; ½ cup milk; 1 egg; ¼ cup grated white onion; ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley); 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper; 1 ½ pounds ground beef (90% to 93% lean). BBQ Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients through the pepper. Add the ground beef and mix until well combined. Shape the mixture into 1 ½ to 2-inch meatballs (about 20) and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 16 minutes, or until nicely browned. You don't need to cook them completely through at this point. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the meatballs to a large baking dish.
3. For the Sauce ingredients: ¾ cup ketchup; ½ cup prepared BBQ sauce (your favorite brand); 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; ½ teaspoon onion powder; freshly ground black pepper (to taste); ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional). BBQ Meatballs: Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Whisk together the sauce ingredients and pour the mixture over the cooked meatballs in the baking dish. Place the dish in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the meatballs have reached an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees F and the sauce is heated through.
4. Mashed Potatoes: While the meatballs are on their first round of cooking, add the potatoes to a large pot and add cold water until potatoes are covered by about 1-inch. Add 2 teaspoons salt and bring the water to a boil over HIGH heat. Reduce the heat to LOW, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until very tender all the way through when pierced with a fork or the tip of a sharp knife. Drain well Return the well-drained potatoes to the warm, empty pot.
5. Mashed Potatoes: Set the heat under the pot to LOW, tossing the potatoes, for a minute or two to evaporate any remaining moisture and let the potatoes dry a bit. Remove from the heat.
6. Mashed Potatoes: Add warmed milk, butter, salt and a little pepper. Use an electric hand mixer to mix just until creamy and smooth, being careful not to overmix. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed.
7. Mashed Potatoes: Serve the BBQ meatballs over mashed potatoes.